Tighten up says Deano

Dom Howson
Doncaster Rovers

DEAN Saunders is rapidly running out of patience with his shaky Doncaster Rovers rearguard and told his players to buck up their ideas.

Rovers back four has come under intensive scrutiny following a catalogue of errors at Leeds United last weekend which saw them let slip a two-goal lead and slump to a 13th away defeat in 16 outings.

Fed up Rovers manager Saunders is keen for the club to start keeping more clean sheets in their battle for survival.

Saunders, who is confident left-back Tommy Spurr will be fit for visit of Peterborough United this weeekend despite suffering concussion in the closing stages of the loss at Leeds, said he was delighted with the performance at Elland Road, describing the opening 60 minutes as the best of his tenure.

However, the Welshman concedes he is becoming increasingly frustrated by the individual lapses in concentration which are costing Rovers valuable points.

“I can’t keep going over the same things with the same players,” he said. “In the end you have to do something about it as a manager. We can’t keep letting the goals in that we are doing. I will point out where they have gone wrong; we have fallen off the horse but we will jump straight back on it.”

Shut outs have been at a premium for Rovers, with Saunders men having recorded just six all season. Two have been kept in the last five matches but the basement battlers have not won since January 2 and remain four points adrift of safety.

With Habib Bamogo ruled out for a further 10 days with a hamstring injury, Saunders will have to make one enforced change at home to Posh as Rovers chase their first double of the campaign. It was at London Road in October when they came from a goal behind to register their maiden victory on the road in the 2011/12 season courtesy of goals from Brian Stock and Kyle Bennett.

Indeed, Bennett is pushing for a first-team recall after notching a brace in Tuesday’s behind closed doors practice match victory over Lincoln City. But Mamadou Bagayoko remains in pole position to replace Bamogo after claiming two goals either side of half time at Leeds.

James Coppinger will not be available for selection though as the long-serving winger is still recovering from a fractured cheekbone he suffered at Bristol City.

Full-back Mustapha Dumbuya, aged 24, has been called up for the first time to the Sierra Leone squad.